Friendship Calls and The Hill Country Ride for AIDS
April 29, 2008
I'm thrilled to say that the donations this year were really amazing ($2490), and I'm honored to list the folks below who were so kind to donate
on behalf of my ride:
Tintal
Cyndi Bock
Joseph Leavell
Mary Robinson
David, Lucy, Kelsey and Maddi Indorf
George Hetrick
Jennifer Haley
The Jackson Family
Sara Ramos
The Kelpen Family
Joan Montana (thank you so much for the box of sweet smelling and yummy goodies, too!!)
Neil and Teresa Ferguson
Skarekro's Family
Helen
Kim and Roy Steinhagen
Kathie Cleveland
Denise Boudreaux
Marilyn
Melody McCarty
My mom and dad
David & Beth Lester
Celeste, Martin, Belle and Patrick Hubert
Debbie Garner and Family
GoGirlsMusic.com
Jim and Wanda Mills
Wendy Fujinami
Mrs. Linnea Hart
Holly and Jim
Claudia Dollen
Caroling Lee
Odland Family
Jule Peterson
Jody Denburg
THE RIDE ITSELF:
Friday came, and I had prepped like last year, only further...instead of riding 1/2 a block the night before, I rode an entire mile two days before! Yes! The workout of a champion who has faith that 50 miles is a ride, not a race!
And, so, Friday morning, as I was trying on my bike shorts and figuring out which shirt I would wear the next morning, I received some upsetting news about a very dear friend in Dallas, someone who has been an important father-figure, consistent confidante and adopted family member. I was informed that my friend, Jerry, had been diagnosed with Parkinsons, was getting a pacemaker put in (I found out it had been put in before I arrived), and that he was not doing very well at all.
I discussed this news with Lance, my husband, and he told me what, in my heart, I knew I wanted to do: Go to Dallas and be with my friend now. You just can't know.
That was it. I would go. I was bummed to miss the race, but my friendship was calling and, so, I grabbed some things and hopped in the car to go see Jerry, to see what I could do to support his wife, too. I needed to hold his hand and see his face and understand the state of his health. And I am so very, very glad I did. Although Jerry is in poor health, we spent
time together talking, and I felt he was, mentally, sharp as a tack. Spending time with his wife and son, too, sharing a meal and talking about what has been going on since I saw them all last made me realize, once again, how fragile we all, truly, are and that our time together on this planet is to be treasured and soaked into the skin with each encounter.
As for the race: My dear friend, Jack Jeansonne, my sole team mate (I had a team mate this year! YES!), arrived at the starting point in Krause Springs on Saturday morning and rode the entire thing by himself, and in good time! He crossed the finish line in about 4 1/2 hours. Whoa! It's amazing because I don't think Jack worked out either, although I have to say he is super cool because he rides his bike to work every day (about two miles away.) So, Jack was DEFINATELY more trained than I will ever hope to be.
So, here is this blog entry, summed up:
I am blessed to have people who supported this cause I believe in. Thank you to each of you for your generousity and kindness in helping those with AIDS, helping researchers to find a cure,
helping me believe I can ride that race! (I will return next year, promise!)
We must always respond to the call of a friend in need because the moments come and go so quickly. I am thankful to my husband for his encouragement and wisdom.
That we all must live our lives fully on the way to death. It isn't easy for us to think about it, but we all will die. No one escapes the greatest mystery alongside birth. How we choose to spend our time
on this path is cause for reflection daily. I am grateful to be surrounded by people who remind me to enjoy the laughter, the tears, yes, even the pain, along the way. My friends teach me so very much. Thank you, Jerry. (And Doris, too.)
Celebrate those that can cross the finish line....Jack, thanks for honoring so many by riding that race. You rock.
Know that you can ride a bike race if you just set your mind to it. Or whatever challenge is in your way.
As always, a big heart full of love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 09:11 am
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Free Community Health Fair, May 24
April 28, 2008
Love,
Sara
Free Community Health Fair
May 24, 2008
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Crockett Center
10601 N. Lamar-between Braker & Rundberg
Free Blood Sugar and Cholesterol testing
Free Eye Examination
Free Hepatitis B & C Screening
Visit Doctors for Free: Heart problems, Cholesterol, Heartburn,
Constipation, Diarrhea, Cancers, Blurred Vision, Neck & Back
Pain, Headache, Stroke, Infertility, Pregnancy, Asthma & Allergies,
Acupuncture, Yoga, Children’s: Vaccinations, Infections, Growth
& Development Problems, Learning disorders, and more
Free Blood Pressure reading
Diabetes Education
Also:
Children’s Games and Play Area
Ethnic Food for sale
Information: http://www.unityforum.org or Call: (512) 990-5425
posted by Sara Hickman at 02:15 am
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Super Pal Universe on the Radio This Morning! Woo-hoo!
April 25, 2008
theme song.
Here it is:
http://kut.org/items/show/12421
Enjoy!
Love,
You know who
posted by Sara Hickman at 06:54 am
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A Comment on Imam Safdar Razi
April 22, 2008
steps of the Texas State Capitol. He was standing should-to-shoulder
with Rabbi Baker, whose congregation meets on the grounds of the Dell
Community Center. After that nootime prayer service, at which we heard
prayers from dozens of clergy for peace, I climbed the steps to meet
this remarkable man for the first time.
His friendship has been one of the greatest blessings in my life.
He and Rabbi Baker became close, and their congregations celebrated Yom
Kippur and Eid Al-Fitr together. In fact, Eid has come to be
celebrated by all Austinites who are interested: open to our entire community.
At my invitation, in late 2001 or early 2002, Safdar spoke during the
Sunday School hour at FUMC Austin, and his message of peace and love was
unmistakable and pure. The God of Abraham wants his children to love
each other, as all three great religions based upon that tradition
teach and history has proven numerous times is the only way we can survive
together.
I have never met a man more committed to open communications, "agreeing
to disagree," or loving all of God's creation -- instructed to do so
by his faith -- than Brother Safdar Razi.
When he said to call him "Brother" my father, Reverend Doctor D. Orval
Strong -- a retired Methodist minister -- said, "I guess that makes me
your uncle." Safdar said that was okay because his uncle had been
killed in Pakistan.
He often held up the Q'uran and said that it did not sanction killing,
that "If you kill one person it is as if you have killed everyone, and
if you save one person it is as if you have saved everyone."
He once said that like the patterns in wallpaper, diversity among
people makes the world more beautiful in God's eyes. Safdar's ability to
make the teachings of Islam clear is invaluable. There is a lot of
misinformation, and to hear from someone who is well-educated and faithful,
to be reminded that three of the world's great religions worship a God
who has commanded us to love each other and care for our brothers and
sisters is inspirational and uplifting.
As I said, I have never met a man more committed to peace and love and
harmony among people of good will than Brother Safdar Razi. His
message of tolerance undoubtedly puts him in danger in many places, including
Pakistan. Even Bhutto was unsafe there; how could they protect him?
His is a brave, kind, intelligent, and energetic man. The USA needs
him. I need him, as his friendship has illuminated parts of my world
that were a mystery to me since the late 70s at least.
This nation was built with the strengths of many different cultures,
and seeing him and Rabbi Baker and the other members of AAIM meet and
talk, rejoice, worship, and pray together reminded me that here in our
nation we really do continue to have freedom of religion and it is a very
good thing.
We should not have to fight for what we believe in because we are
Americans and can believe anything we want to. Safdar has shown me that
those who use Islam for non-loving purposes are defilers of the teachings
of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and unworthy to call themselves
Muslims.
The Spanish Inquisition did not take place under the rule of the Moors,
and our own history has shameful incidents -- from the Salem witch
trials to the McCarthy hearings -- of misguided finger pointing based on
fear and ignorance.
Personally, were it in my power, I would grant Safdar honorary
citizenship if for no other reason than for spreading peace and harmony in the
bewildering and horrifying days following the tragedy we all witnessed
nearly seven years ago. There are enough problems in the world and
enough people wishing to do harm that we do not need to be rejecting those
who truly do believe in "liberty and justice for all."
Beyond that, Brother Safdar is true to his faith. To say he has not
always acted as an Imam (or even a pastor) to those who turned to him on
questions of faith or personal need is to be blind to reality. If he
has transgressed restrictions placed upon him, community service would be
the ideal punishment; he has done nothing but devote himself to the
well-being of our American community since the opportunity first
presented itself.
It has been thrilling me to see the outpouring of support for him from
everyone who has known him well, like my dear friend Sara. Any who
think our nation could be served in any positive way by expelling him do
not know Safdar or how genuinely he serves and exemplifies the love that
binds us all as children of God, without exceptions.
Love and Peace from David Strong in Austin
posted by Sara Hickman at 06:53 am
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VALENTINE’S DAY 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 17, 2008
...I met with the Executive Director, the talented and hilarious Mr. Kim Campbell, who personally flew down from Dallas and took me to lunch today...and then surprised me with a full page color announcement that has my photo and announces the event in their beautiful season catalogue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will finally be stepping into my grandparents shoes and fulfilling my Rosemary Clooney dream!
Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!
Off to bed to get up to go to Seattle tomorrow early...hope to see those of you that live in Seattle somewhere this weekend!!!
Love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:19 pm
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